Sounding wheeled toy



Jan. 19, 1965 M. l. GLAss ETAL soUNDING WHEELED Toy Filed sept. 12. 1961 j www/5% United States Patent() A This invention relates to toys, and in particular vito toy devices capable of producing sounds of varying pitch.

More specifically, the invention relates to toy devices' which produce sounds intended to simulate those of motordriven vehicles.

VVarious wheeled toys simulating all manner of normally mobile objects are available for use by children.. Frequently, such toys are provided with sound-producing means which add to the fascination and realism which the toy` provides. Toys simulating powered vehicles, for example, often include simple gear and spring blade arrangements -intended to continually produce a generally constant sound in an attempt to simulate the noise produced during the travel of a vehicle.-

The noise-making devices available for use in toys, however, generally produce a sound of a single pitch, and for this reason, are frequently incapable of accurately imitating the sounds produced by a particular mechanical object. The sound of a motor-driven vehicle, for example, varies in pitch as the vehicle accelerates, and achieves a relatively steady pitch only after the vehicle has attained a constant speed. Consequently, in order to audibly imitate the operation of such a vehicle, a device must be capable of producing sounds of varying pitch.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved sound-producing device for use in a toy.

Another object of the invention is'to provide a soundproducing device for use in a toy, which device produces sounds of varying pitch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a soundproducing device for use in a toy, which device is capable of producing sounds simulating those of an accelerating vehicle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Y FIGURE 1 is a partially broken-away, fragmentary sectional view showing a device in accordance with the present invention as it appears mounted within a toy vehicle;

FIGURES 2 and 3 are views similar to that of FIGURE 1, but showing the device in slightly different positions;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one element of the device shown in FIGURE 1';

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary top view of the device of FIGURE l, showing the device as it appears in a starting position prior to its operation; and Y FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary top View of the device of FIGURE 1 showing the device in an operating position.

Very generally, the invention comprises a rotatably mounted vibration-inducing element 11, the outer surface of which is partially defined by a helical track 13 having a plurality of projections or teeth 15 extending outwardly therefrom. A stylus member 17 is mounted adjacent the element 11 for successive engagement with the projections 15 as the element 11 rotates, thereby causing vibrations to be induced in the member 17. The projections 15 are dimensioned so as to cause the member 17 to vibrate at varying frequencies, thereby causing sounds of Varying pitch to be produced.

A particular embodiment of the invention herein described takes the form of a toy vehicle 19 adapted to pro- 3,165,860 Patented Jan. 19, 1965 ICC 4 2 duce sounds which simulate those of an accelerating motordriven vehicle, i.e., sounds are produced which correspond to those produced by a vehicle traveling successively in i first, second and third gears. The vehicle 19 also -produces sounds simulating those of a vehicle traveling in high gear, as will become apparent hereinafter.

More particularly, the toy vehicle 19 comprises a hollow body 21 whichl includes end wall 23 and side walls 25. Supporting wheels V27 are attached adjacent the lower edge of the body 21 by means of an axle 29 rotatably mounted on the body in any suitable manner, as by brackets provided with journal openings (not shown). The wheels 27 are keyed to the axle 29 so as to cause the axle to rotate with the wheels when the vehicle is caused to travel over a supporting surface. i

The element 11, adapted to induce vibrations in the stylus member 17 when engaged thereby, is suitably keyed to the axle 29 so as to rotate therewith as the vehicle travels. More specifically, the element 11 can take several forms, such as a helical wire having a serrated edge,

A and in the disclosed construction comprisesan elongated,

generally tapered body section 31 which is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and is defined at its larger end by a at and generally circular face 33 and at itsropposite end byV a similar but smaller face 35.

-. 13 extends from one end face to the other and is generally 1 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. The track axis of the body 31. As the element 11 rotates, the stylus member 17 engages each of the teeth 15 successively, causing vibrations to be induced therein of a frequency dependent upon the rate at which theV teeth are encountered. Assuming a constant speed of rotation of the element 11, for example, an increasing frequency of vibration and, hence, a sound of increasing pitch, will be produced by arranging the teeth such that the space between adjacent teeth decreases gradually, thereby causing anincreased number of teeth to be encountered during each successive frequency period. A similar effect can also be achieved by varying the size of adjacent teeth. Hence, by controlling the relative dimensions of the teeth, vibrations of varying frequency and amplitude can be induced.

In the particular embodiment of the device disclosed herein, the sound of a vehicle accelerating through a iirst, second, and third gear is accomplished by dividing the track 13 into three sections, namely, a first section 37, a second section 39, and a third section 41, corresponding respectively to the first, second, and third gear. In the rst section 37, which begins adjacent the larger end face 33, the teeth 15 are dimensioned so that the effective rate of engagement between the teeth 15 and stylus member 17 increases from the beginning of the section to the end thereof. The member thus vibrates at a gradually increasing frequency as it contacts this section of the track and causes a sound of gradually rising pitch to be produced.

The second section 39 of track is constructed in a manner similar to that of the first section, having teeth 15 dimensioned so as to again provide a sound of gradually increasing pitch. The sound initially produced by the engagement of the stylus member 17 and the second section of track 39 is similar in pitch to that initially' produced by the interengagement of the stylus member and the first section of track 37 so that the sound produced as the member travels successively over the rst The helical track v and second sections 37 and will bev one of gradually `rising pitch, then an abrupt drop in pitch, followed by another gradual rise in pitch.

T he third section of track 41 is constructed in a manner similar to that of the first and second sections so that the pitch of the soundL initially produced by thev engagement of the stylus member 17 with this section of track is relatively low, although not as low as the sound produced at the beginning of theiirst andsecond track sections. in addition, the third section is designed so that the highest pitch reached by the sound .thus produced is.

of lower frequency than that reachedrin the first and second sections. Also, the third'section of track does not end abruptly as do the first and second sections, but rather terminates in a closed end loop 43 along which the stylus member remains in Contact as long as the element 11 continues to rotate, The sound produced by the engagement of the stylus member 17 with the teeth 15 of this latter section thus provides a sound having a pitch which increases gradually to an intermediate. level, and then remains steady, thus corresponding to the sound of a vehicle traveling in third gear.

The inwardlyvspiraling disposition of the track on the body 31 causes adjacent portions of the track to be at diierent levels relative to one another (-FIG. 4), thereby creating a step-like configuration for the side wall of the element 11. This construction provides a spiraling guide surface v45 which extends outwardly from, and generally normal to, the adjacent track. The surface 45 serves as a cam which guides the stylus member 17 so as to cause it to contact successive sections of the track when the element rotates, as vwill become lapparent hereafter.

In order to add to the realism provided by the toy, the element 11 is constructed so that no sound is produced for a brief interval of time immediately after the stylus member 17 has travelled the length of the first section of track 37 and a similar interval is provided immediately after the member has travelled the length of the second section 39. These intervals simulate the actual lapse of time which transpires while gears are shifted in an actual vehicle and are achieved by forming a portion of the track on each side of the second section 39 with an absence of projections or teeth 15. If it is desired, however, a few such projections may be provided in this portion of the track to simulate the sound of the gears as they engage one another or of the clutch becoming re-eng'aged.

The stylus member 17 comprises a part of a stylus assembly 46 and is pivotally suspended in the vehicle 19 for horizontal and vertical movement so that it will remain in contact with the track 13 which spirals inwardly of and extends longitudinally across the body 31. The stylus assembly 46 is supported in an open-ended tubular housing 47 disposed in encircling relation to the element 11 and supported on the axle 29 by passage of the axle through openings (not shown) provided in the wall of the housing. The stylus assembly includes, in addition to the stylus member 17, Ia T-shaped yoke 49. and a guide bracket 51.

The T-shaped yoke 49 is mounted adjacent the upper edge of the housing 47 for vertical pivotal movement relative thereto and includes a pair of arms 53 which extend outwardly from, and generally normal to, a leg 55. Each of the arms 53 includes an ear 56 which is journalled in a suitable hole in the adjacent side wall of the housing so as to permit vertical pivotal movement of the yoke 49 relative to the housing 47. Vertical pivotal movement of the yoke 49 is effected by rocking of the housing 47 about lthe axle 29, which rocking is caused by a friction drive in the form of `a spring 57 located between one wall of the housing and the element 11. The spring 57 causes a drag which tends to urge the housing into rotation with the element 11 and axle 29. l

' The leg 55 of the yoke 49 extends forwardly of the housing 47 for engagement in a slot 58 in the front wall i 23 of the toy vehicle so as, in cooperation with the engagement of the stylus member 17 with the track 13, to limit rotation of the housing about the axle 29 incident to rotation of the element 11 accompanying forward movement of the toy vehicne. Engagement of the leg 55 with the slot 5b in the vehicle wall serves also to pivot the yoke 49 in the clockwise direction as the housing rotates in the counterclockwise direction, thereby displacing the stylus member toward the track 13 for enga gement therewith.

The guide bracket 51 is connected to the yoke by suitable means, such as the free-fitting rivet 59, for horizontal pivotal movement. The guide bracket 51 comprises a flat strip of material, such as metal or plastica/' and includes an extension 61 which projects toward the guide surface 45 for engagement therewith so as td guide the movement of the stylus member. In addition,` the upper surface of the extension 61 serves toengage the lower edge of the stylus member so as to effect eleJ vation'thereof during return of the stylus member' to its starting position.

A stop is provided for the lateral return movement of the stylus member 17 to its starting position by a lug 63 which projects outwardly of the guide bracket 51 inwardly of the extension 61 and which is adaptedto erigage one of the sidewalls of the housing 47.` Also, in-` corporated in the guide bracket 51 is a downwardly projecting flange 65 which pivotally supports the stylus member 17.

The stylus member 17, as previously indicated, is adapt ed to ride on the track 13 so as to engage thep'rojections 15 and thereby vibrate at a frequency determined by the rate of engagement of the stylus member with the pro; jections. The stylus member 17 is a flat strip having a leg 69 which is pivotally attached, by a rivet or the like, yto the flange 65 of the guide bracket 51 so as to provide for vertical swinging movement of the stylus member relative to the guide bracket. Extending downs wardly from the leg 69 for engagement with the track 13 is a stylus 71. Extending upwardly from the leg 69 is an arm 73 which supports an amplier 74.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated -that the stylus member 17 is mounted for pivotal movement in both the horizontal and vertical directionsv so that the `stylus 17 remains in contact with the track 13 as the" element 11 rotates.

In order to maintain the guide bracket 51 in following engagement with the lguide surface 45 of the element 11 so as to retain the stylus on the track, the guide bracket is biased for pivotal movement in the countrclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURES 5 and 6, by suitable means in the form of a spring 77. The spring 77 includes one' leg 7 8 which engages the yoke and a second leg 80 which passes through an aperture in the guide bracket. The spring 77 also serves to bias the stylus member 17 for' vertical movement toward the extension 61, i.e., in the clockwise direction as seen in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, so' as to provide for continuous engagement of the stylus with the projections. In this regard, the second leg 80 of the spring includes a projecting part 82 which is suitably shaped and is secured to the stylus member by passage through an aperture therein.

The amplifier 74, mounted on the arm 73 of the stylus member 17 is adapted to amplify the sound produced by the vibration of the stylus member and comprises a hollow, upwardly open shell 79 with a diaphragm 81 disposed across the upper edge of the shell. The shell and diaphragm thereby define a resonating chamber 83 which is effective to amplify the vibrations induced in the stylus member.

In the operation of the toy, as the vehicle is rolled forwardly, the housing tends to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, which rotation causes clockwise rocking of the yoke 49 by .5 reason of its pivotal engagement with the housing 47 and the engagement of the leg 69 with the vehicle body 21. Such clockwise rocking of the yoke displaces theV stylus 71 forwardly for engagementwith the' track 13. Continued forward movement of the vehicle results in lateral displacement of the stylus member 17 and guide bracket 51 by reason of the engagement of the extension 61 with -the guide surface 45. At the same time, the stylus assembly 46 continues its vertical pivotal movement in the clockwise direction, thereby maintaining the stylus in contact with the track.

As the stylus moves along the track, a motor sound resembling the noise of the successive operation of a vehicle in first, second, and high gear is produced. As the stylus 71 approaches the .smaller end face of the element 11, it enters into the closed loop and operates to produce a continuing noise simulating operation of a vehicle in high gear.

When the toy vehicle is stopped and its direction of travel slightly reversed, the stylus member is automatically returned toits starting position. In this regard, clockwise movement of the axle 29 results in accompanying movement of the housing 47 which housing movement serves to rock the yoke 49 and guide bracket 51 in the counterclockwise direction, thereby elevating the stylus from the track and permitting swinging of the stylus member and guide bracket, under the iniiuence of the spring, in -the counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG- URES and 6, thereby relocating the stylus assembly in starting position.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A toy vehicle comprising a body-supporting wheel rotatably mounted on said body, a vibratory member movably mounted on said body, a vibration-inducing element rotatably mounted on said body adjacent said vibratory member and connected to said wheel for rotation incident to the rotation of said wheel, the surface of said element being provided with a helical track extending from one end of said element to the other and having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom, said member being adapted to ride on said track from one end thereof toward the other and to engage said projections as said element rotates, said track constituting at least two distinct sections, said projections on said section adjacent said one end of said element varying in contour and being dirnensioned so as to induce vibrations in said member of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of a motor-driven vehicle and the projections on said section adjacent said other end of said element being dimensioned so as to induce vibrations in said member of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of a vehicle traveling at a constant speed.

2. A toy vehicle comprising a hollow body, a bodysupporting wheel rotatably mounted on said body, a vibratory member pivotally mounted on said body, an elongated vibration-inducing element rotatably mounted on said body adjacent said vibratory member and connected to said wheel so as to rotate when said wheel rotates, the surface of said element being provided with a helical track commencing adjacent one end of said element and terminating in a continuous loop adjacent the opposite end of said element, said track and said loop each having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom, means causing said member to ride on said track toward said closed loop and to engage said projections as said element rotates, and means for selectively causing return 0f said member to a point on said track adjacent said one end of said element, said projections of said track being dimensioned so as to induce vibrations in said vibratory member of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of an accelerating motor-driven vehicle, and said projections of said loop being dimensioned so as to induce vibrations in saidV vibratory mem- 6 ber of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of a motor-driven vehicle being propelled at a constant speed when said element is rotated at a constant speed.

3. A toy vehicle comprising a body, a body-supporting wheel fixed to an axle journalled in said bodyso as to rotate said axle when said wheel rotates, a hollow housingV mounted on said axle so as to contain a portion thereof, a vibratory member pivotally mounted on said housing, a vibration-including element fixed to said axle within said housing adjacent said vibratory member, said vibration-inducing element beingV co-axial with said axle, the surface of said element being provided with a helical track having a plurality of projections extending .outward- 1y therefrom, said element including a cam surface adjacent said track, a guide bracket connected to said vibratory member and adapted to contact said cam surface and guide said member from one end of said track to the other, means for causing controllable return of said member to said one end of said track, said track constituting at least two sections having projections extending outwardly therefrom and connected by an intermediate section devoid of said projections, said projections on at least one of said sections being dimensioned so that the elective rate of engagementl between said projections and said member gradually increases, thereby causing sounds of gradually increasing pitch to be produced.

4. A device for producing sounds of varying pitch, said device comprising a housing, a vibratory member pivotally mounted on said housing,-a vibration-inducing element rotatably mounted in said housing adjacent said vibratory member, means for effecting rotation of said vibration-inducing element, the surface of said element being provided with a helical track having a plurality of Y projections extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to be contacted by said member so as to induce vibrations therein, means connected to said member for amplifying said vibrations, a cam surface provided on said element adjacent said track, guide means connected to said member adapted 'to contact said cam surface to maintain said member 1n position on said track, means for causing controllable return of said element to said one end of said track, said projections being dimensioned so that the effective rate of engagement between said projections and d said member varies, thereby inducing vibrations of varying frequency in said member and causing sounds of varying pitch .to be produced.

5. A( toy vehicle comprising a hollow body, a vibration-inducing element rotatably mounted on said body adjacent said vibratory member, means for effecting rotation of said vibration-inducing element, the surface of said vibration-inducing element being providedvwith a helical track commencing adjacent one end of said element and terminating in a continuous loop adjacent the opposite end of said element, said track and said loop each having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom, a vibratory member mounted within said body and being adapted to ride on said track toward and onto said loop and to engage said projections as said element rotates, said projections of said track being dimensioned so as to induce vibrations in said vibratory member of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of an accelerating motor-driven vehicle, and said projections of said loop being dimensioned so as to induce vibrations in said vibratory member of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of a motor-driven vehicle being propelled at a constant speed, when said element is rotated at a constant speed.-

6. An element adapted to induce vibrations in a vibratory member so as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of a motor-driven vehicle, said element comprising an elongated body adapted to be rotatably mounted and having an outer surface defining a helical track commencing at one end of said body and terminating in a closed loop adjacent the opposite end of said body, said track Aand loop being provided with a plu rality of spaced projections extending outwardly from said body and adapted to beengaged by said vibratory member as said body is rotated adjacent thereto, said projections of said track being dimensioned so as to induce vibrations in said'vibratoi'y member of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of au accelerating motor-driven vehicle, and said projections of said loop being dimensioned so as to induce vibrations in said vibratory member of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of `a motor-driven vehicle being propelled at a constant speed.

7. An element adapted to induce vibrations in a yibratory member so as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of a motor-driven vehicle, said element comprising an `elongated body adapted to be rotatably mounted and tapering from one of its ends toward the other, the outer surface of said body dening a helical track and a cam surface adjacent said track and generally normal thereto, said track and cam surface commencing at said one end of said body and terminating in a closed loop adjacent the opposite end of said body, said cam surface being effective to guide said vibratoryl member so as to cause it to travel on said track toward said closed loop 'as said body rotates, said track and loop being provided with a pluralityof spaced projections extending outwardly from said body and adapted to be engaged by said vibratory member as said body is rotated adjacent thereto, said vprojections of said track being dimensioned so as to induce vibrations in said vibratory member of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of an accelerating motor-driven vehicle, and said projections of said loop being'dimensioned so as to induce vibrations in said vibratory member of such a nature as to cause sounds to be produced simulating those of a motor-driven vehicle being propelled at a constant speed. 'Y

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS vBurbank July 29, 1902 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 165 860 January 19 1965 Marvin I. Glass et al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 50, for "a" read an accelerating Signed and sealed this 29th day of June 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attcsting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

5. A TOY VEHICLE COMPRISING A HOLLOW BODY, A VIBRATION-INDUCING ELEMENT ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BODY ADJACENT SAID VIBRATORY MEMBER, MEANS FOR EFFECTING ROTATION OF SAID VIBRATION-INDUCING ELEMENT, THE SURFACE OF SAID VIBRATION-INDUCING ELEMENT BEING PROVIDED WITH A HELICAL TRACK COMMENCING ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID ELEMENT AND TERMINATING IN A CONTINUOUS LOOP ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID ELEMENT, SAID TRACK AND SAID LOOP EACH HAVING A PLURALITY OF PROJECTIONS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, A VIBRATORY MEMBER MOUNTED WITHIN SAID BODY AND BEING ADAPTED TO RIDE ON SAID TRACK TOWARD AND ONTO SAID LOOP AND TO ENGAGE SAID PROJECTIONS AS SAID ELEMENT ROTATES, SAID PROJECTIONS OF SAID TRACK BEING DIMENSIONED SO AS TO INDUCE VIBRATIONS IN SAID VIBRATORY MEMBER OF SUCH A NATURE AS TO CAUSE SOUNDS TO BE PRODUCED SIMULATING THOSE OF AN ACCELERATING MOTOR-DRIVEN VEHICLE, AND SAID PROJECTIONS OF SAID LOOP BEING DIMENSIONED SO AS TO INDUCE VIBRATIONS IN SAID VIBRATORY MEMBER OF SUCH A NATURE AS TO CAUSE SOUNDS TO BE PRODUCED SIMULATING THOSE OF A MOTOR-DRIVEN VEHICLE BEING PROPELLED AT A CONSTANT SPEED, WHEN SAID ELEMENT IS ROTATED AT A CONSTANT SPEED. 